I know, I was ‘Walking In Memphis’ Gardens. It’s a corny headline. but I just could not resist, you can’t help but sing the words of that great song when you visit Memphis, Tennessee. Here’s the song in case you need a refresher.
I recently took a trip to the USA specifically to attend The 2025 Garden Bloggers Fling. I bet that you have been following along through my socials and I hope that you’re enjoying the posts so far.
Most people would think about Memphis and the first thing to come to mind is probably Elvis, BB King, Graceland and Sun Studios and well basically the home of The Blues music genre, but this southern city in the USA offers so much more, especially if you love garden visiting and gardening.
Lavender and cream verandah – a cool place to sit and watch the world go byKim Halyak’s all abilities backyard design
I am going to start with the last day of ‘The Fling’ first. We visited more than 50 Memphis gardens in 5 days, so hang onto your straw hat, there will be lots of posts.
Of course you need a stunning red clawfoot bath tub on your back verandah complete with painted rug on the deck!
On the final day of “The Fling” we were lucky enough to enioy a private peak at the Cooper-Young Garden Walk, which is an initiative developed by The Cooper-Young Garden Club and is part of a wider garden visiting experience called Experience Memphis Gardens.
Kim Halyak and Sharron Johnson are the powerhouse co-chairs of this event and are well-supported by many other members of this community driven event and yes, both ladies opened their gardens for the event and for our private visit.
A must have part of any home in the south where it gets very humidBack deck in The Copper-Young districtInterior design principles for the outdoors demonstrated to perfection on the front porch of this home in The Cooper-Young districtExceptional Thriller Spiller Filler Cooper-Young style
2025 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Annual Signature Cooper-Young Garden Walk, and it ran from May 17-18. It featured over 100 gardens, speakers, musicians and garden vendors, throughout the historic neighbourhood. A festival for all things garden!
Delightfully painted cottages are up and down every streetDuck egg blue coloured cottageAlice in Wonderland themed gardenQuirky signage makes for a fun experienceGreat use of seating and mirrors
The Cooper-Young district is about 10-15 minutes from downtown Memphis and is a diverse community filled with smaller homes, painted in the cutest array of colours enhanced with delightful gardens and pretty porches that demonstrate a unique southern- style of garden design.
I did and loved them all
This community is home to artists and extremely creative gardeners, which becomes self evident when wandering through the gardens. The main street offers heaps of restaurant choices and some fun shopping. Gentrification of this fun district is well under way.
Every garden needs a sheep, doesn’t it?The artist who creates these horses rode his horse from California to Tennessee
On the day of our visit it was very hot and humid, so an early lunch and lots of unsweetened iced tea (yep, it’s my go to drink when visiting the USA) was a great idea, in between peaking in and out of the gardens which were all easily signposted and within walking distance of the main street. We ate at Soul Fish Cafe which was excellent. I had the most delicious grilled catfish on a vibrant salad (and no fries), proving that not all American food is bad for you. https://soulfishcafe.com/midtown-memphis/
Here’s proof that you can eat delicious, healthy food in America-I left the croutons!
My Best Garden Friend @AZPlantlady and I retired “hot” not hurt, in the afternoon, for a cheeky frozen Margarita with fellow “Flingers” at a fun bar called Cooper’s, just down from the Johnny Cash statue. We were all buzzing with excitement sharing our perspectives on an inspiring day walking in Memphis Gardens.
We retired “hot” not hurt and enjoyed thisMe with Johnny Cash
The biggest take-away was enjoying all of the creative possibilities for folks with small cottages and smaller garden spaces, which was super helpful knowledge for people like me, working with gardeners in urban areas with small cottage blocks .
The opposite of the incredibly generous hospitality that we enjoyed
I would highly recommend this fun May weekend of experiencing Memphis gardens in the most unexpected way, if ever you get the chance, take the time to visit The Cooper-Young Garden Walk.
If you want some ideas for your garden based on some of these photos, get in contact here.
Even the slimmest of patches is filled with plants in this neighbourhood
Last Sunday, I had a great day as MC of the Elders Midland Marquee at the Kalamunda Garden Festival and spoke about Potting Mix for your containers as well. I thought I would share it with you too.
So here it is. A chat about Potting Mix and how to get the most out of plants you are growing in containers and why I say “If you Buy Cheap, You’ll Buy Twice”.
What’s the difference between Potting Mix and Garden Soil?
Potting Mix has a balanced amount of sand and soil and so has better drainage and that’s why it is the perfect medium for containers.
Good quality Premium Potting Mix usually has some slow release fertiliser in it and that is always specified on the bag.
Premium Potting Mix nearly always has a neutral PH of about 5.5 -7 which is what most plants need.
Premium Potting Mix is basically sterile and has been tested throughout the manufacturing process so it will be weed free.
Garden Soil is whatever you have dug up from your backyard – a bit hit and miss!
Cheap Potting Mix is basically sand and fillers
This is problematic for containers because you want them to look their best for as long as possible and most plants won’t do very well if planted into a nutrient poor, dense sandy mix.
The plants are grown in a wholesale nursery where they are fed and watered so they are in tip top condition when you buy them. They are used to being loved so if you plonk them in a cheap sandy potting mix they will probably last a week or two and then cark it.
Why Buy Premium Potting Mix?
Premium Potting Mix is designed to last longer, so is more economical in the long run. For at least 3 months, probably 6, you really won’t need to do anything to amend the soil in your containers.
When planting herbs and veggies, you want fast production and only a premium mix will give you that.
The Right Potting Mix For The Job
Potting Mixes are so sophisticated now you can buy them tailored to whatever you are planting.
Yesterday, I created these containers for a client in Cottesloe using Baileys Premium Potting Mix.
Succulent Mix is more sandy and course, but still high in nutrients. I use Scotts Osmocote 25litre Cacti and Succulent Premium Potting Mix when I am potting up succulents and cacti.
Here’s one of my containers at home, filled with Scotts Osmocote 25litre Cacti and Succulent Premium Potting Mix
Use Veggie Mix with added nutrients specifically for growing better and stronger veggies with all of the minerals and vitamins. This is basically the reason why you’re growing your own. I use a vegetable concentrate mixed in with the Baileys Premium Potting Mix in my raised planter boxes. https://greenlifesoil.com.au/bags/vegie-concentrate-certified-organic-25l
Camelia and Azalea mix for acid loving plants usually has a PH of between 5.0 and 6.0. I use Osmocote Camellia and Azalea mix when I am potting these up in containers.
Propagation or Seed Raising Mix is coarser and is used for raising seedling and cuttings. It helps plants develop roots quickly. It usually has good aeration and may contain perlite, peat moss, coarse sand, or polystyrene foam beads. I use https://greenlifesoil.com.au/bags/seed-raising-mix-15l-1
There is a lot of product variety on the market so if you are unsure, look for the Australian standard certification on the label.
It is important because it means that the company you have bought it from has taken the time and the trouble to make sure their product meets all of the regulatory standards AS 3743—2003
You can be sure what you are buying is as what the label says it is. Also, this certification should ensure what you are buying is of a consistent standard.
What is in Potting Mix? What makes it so different from ordinary garden soil?
The potting mix that you purchase at a garden centre or the big box stores, could be comprised of any of the following substances:
Peat
This comes in various forms and is measured by it’s POROSITY? What is POROSITY? It comes from the Greek word Poros which means passage and is basically there to allow water to freely drain through the mix.
Coir Peat is a new additive to potting mix and it is there to assist water retention. You will typically find indoor plants are planted into coir peat when you purchase them to keep them alive in the nursery or garden centre.
Sand
How much added sand influences what can be grown successfully with that mix.
The smaller the sand particles, the more the water will hold in the mix. The bigger the sand particles, the more free draining the mix is.
Perlite
This is a natural Mineral which is white and volcanic. With a neutral PH, it helps with aeration of the soil.
Vermiculite
This has a water holding capacity of 3-4 times it’s weight which is helpful for small containers in particular.
Zeolite
Zeolite is a mineral which improves nutrient retention so is particularly important in a potting mix for growing herbs and vegetables in containers
Woodchips and Bark
These are waste products from the timber industry that add organic matter and is used in small amounts in potting mixes, except for orchid mix which is mostly bark.
Polystyrene Foam Balls
Sometimes these will be present and may have been added supposedly, to improve drainage and as a filler to make the bag seem bigger and fuller. These are not biodegradable. Cheaper mixes usually contain this.
Soil
Yes, your potting mix may contain soil but if at all, is less frequently used in potting mix. It is variable and can clog up a container if it is out of balance in the mix; the water will not drain and the plant roots can’t move around freely so the plant will not thrive.
Some quality brands may contain 3 months of slow release fertiliser and a wetting agent. These are all very useful for Perth growing conditions.
Will my Potting Mix go bad over time?
Well, it won’t go bad but potting mix is a living thing. Over time as it dries out in the bag, the nutrients for healthy plants will deplete. By all means use it up in the bottom of a large container but add some fresh Potting Mix to the top half and mix it through. If you think the potting mix may be dry in the bag, ensure you wear a face mask before you open the bag just in case the mix has soil born fungal spores which could harm you.
ORGANIC OR NOT??
You may see some potting mixes labelled as organic soil mix. This simply means it is high in organic matter, not that it has been certified as organic. Always check with the manufacturer if you are concerned. If you require organic potting mix, buy it from a supplier that has gone to the trouble of getting certification.
…and finally
Buy the Potting Mix that is going to best accomodate your chosen plant. Ensure that whichever blend you choose is light and fluffy when you tip it out of the bag into your container.
If I feel like a container needs a little something extra, I always add Nutrarich Mature Compost from Swan Valley Landscape Supplies. I love this stuff and swear by it for Perth gardens. I usually add some slow release fertiliser as well. https://www.swanvalleylandscapesupplies.com.au/blank-12
PLEASE don’t buy the cheapest Potting Mix! Read the label to see if it is fit for what you want to achieve in your garden containers and how much more it might cost if you are going to need to add extra goodies in the mix to keep your treasured plant alive for longer!
All this information may still be confusing. Don’t despair I am always at hand to confirm your choices or advise on any other queries. Contact me here!
Eremophila ‘Pink Pantha’ with a pink friend and happily planted in Baileys Premium Potting Mix at my house.
